Speech and Language Therapist - Learning Disabilities/Mental Health

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Are you a dedicated and innovative professional seeking a new opportunity to make a meaningful impact? We are pleased to offer an exciting vacancy within our well-established Intellectual Disability (ID) CAMHS service.

As a Speech and Language, you will serve as a Care Coordinator for a specific caseload of patients presenting with complex behaviours and/or significant mental health needs. Your role will involve delivering person-centred, evidence-based, targeted interventions to support children, their families or carers, and the multi-disciplinary team. Regular clinical and peer supervision will be provided to support your ongoing professional development.

Our team operates collaboratively, fostering a supportive environment that encourages skill development and multi-disciplinary working.

This is a full-time, permanent position within the pan-Dorset ID CAMHS service.

The role involves working across two sites in Dorset—Southbourne and Dorchester—with your primary base at Seascape, Southbourne. A valid driving license and access to a car are required, as travel to patient homes and community settings will be part of your duties. Flexible working arrangements may be available, provided service needs are met.

Driving is essential for this role. You will be required to have a full and valid UK driving licence and to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

To work as a member of the multi professional community intellectual disability team providing direct support to people with learning disabilities, mental health concerns and behaviours that are challenging.

Providing expertise and skills to identify the mental health concerns and challenging behaviour.

To be a specialist speech and language therapist acting as an autonomous practitioner with specialist knowledge, skills and experience assessing, diagnosing and managing patient on the caseload. Patients on the caseload will have complex and special educational needs.

The Speech and Language Therapist will work in partnership with clients’ carers and multi-disciplinary Team members to inform assessments of individual needs, make recommendations for interventions and support needs.

To provide SALT communication assessments for CYP as part of a mental health and/or complex behavioural presentation.

To undertake risk assessment, formulation and management for individual clients with complex presentations and to provide advice to other professions regarding communication difficulties.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

This advert closes on Tuesday 9 Jun 2026